Governor Addresses Climate Change with New Water Supply Strategy

  • by ACWA staff
  • Aug 11, 2022
  • Water News

Gov. Gavin Newsom today released a new water supply strategy the Newsom Administration is taking to adapt to hotter and drier conditions caused by climate change.

The 19-page “California’s Water Supply Strategy, Adapting to a Hotter, Drier Future” focuses on increasing and diversifying the state’s water supply as part of the Administration’s more focused approach to address water shortages and modernize California’s water systems.

“ACWA supports the Governor’s call for the development of new water supplies through increased recycled water, desalination, above- and below-ground storage capacity, and groundwater replenishment,” said Cindy Tuck, ACWA Deputy Executive Director for Government Relations.”

The goals and actions of the document are divided into four main categories as outlined below.

  1. Develop new water supplies
    • Reuse at least 800,000 acre-feet of water per year by 2030 and 1.8 million acre-feet by 2040.
    • Expand brackish groundwater desalination production by 28,000 acre-feet per year by 2030 and 84,000 acre-feet per year by 2040.
  2. Expand water shortage capacity above and below ground by four million acre-feet
    • Expand average annual groundwater recharge by at least 500,000 acre-feet.
    • Work to complete the seven Proposition 1-supported storage projects and consider funding other viable surface storage projects.
    • Expand San Luis Reservoir by 135,000 acre-feet.
    • Rehabilitate dams to regain storage capacity.
    • Support local stormwater capture projects in cities and towns with the goal to increase annual supply capacity by at least 250,000 acre-feet by 2030 and 500,000 acre-feet by 2040.
  3. Reduce demand
    • Build on conservation efforts to reduce annual water demand in towns and cities by at least a million acre-feet by 2030.
    • Help stabilize groundwater supplies.
  4. Improve forecasting, data and management including water rights modernization
    • Improve flexibility of current water systems to move water throughout the state.
    • Modernize water rights administration for equity, access, flexibility and transparency.

ACWA staff is reviewing the document and will work with members to support local approaches  and address policy issues in the state’s implementation of the strategy. Staff will provide input to the Administration as these actions are implemented.

“California is launching an aggressive plan to rebuild the way we source, store and deliver water so our kids and grandkids can continue to call California home in this hotter, drier climate,” Newsom stated in a news release.

Over the last three years, state leaders have earmarked more than $8 billion to modernize water infrastructure and management. The 2022-’23 budget includes an additional $2.8 billion for drought relief to hard-hit communities, water conservation, environmental protection for fish and wildlife and long-term drought resilience projects.

ACWA has long supported federal, state and local investment in water infrastructure as part of a comprehensive approach to achieving long-term climate resilience. Staff continues to advocate for water infrastructure funding in the State Budget process, which will come to a close by Aug. 31 when the Legislature adjourns.

Also, earlier this year, ACWA launched the Quench California public education campaign to increase Californians’ awareness of the importance and positive benefits of investing in water infrastructure.

Members can incorporate the QuenchCA campaign materials into their agency’s efforts to educate customers about the importance of water infrastructure for their community through customizable communications tools.

Suggested Resources

15 RESOURCES prev next
Coalition Letter: FY 2025 – 2026 Budget – Support for AB 102 and SB 102 – Funding for the Agreements to Support Healthy Rivers and Landscapes

To: President pro Tempore McGuire, Speaker Rivas, Budget Chairs Weiner and Gabriel, and Subcommittee Chairs Allen and Bennett Subject: FY […]

Coalition Letter: Dam Safety and Resilience Program – Updated Request for 2024/25 Budget Funds and Allocation of Proposition 4 Monies

To: Governor Newsom, Policy Chairs and Budget Subcommittee Chairs Subject: Dam Safety and Resilience Program – Updated Request for 2024/25 […]

Coalition Letter: 2025-26 Budget – Oppose Proposed Reduction of Funding for the Agreements to Support Healthy Rivers and Landscapes

To: President pro Tempore Mike McGuire, Speaker Robert Rivas, Budget Chairs Scott Weiner and Jesse Gabriel, and Subcommittee Chairs Benjamin Allen […]

Cross-Connection Control Toolkit

Sorry, but only ACWA members have permission to view this content. Member login is required.

Comment Letter: Updated Water Measurement and Reporting Revisions

To: Courtney Tyler, Clerk to the Board, State Water Resources Control Board Subject: Updated Water Measurement and Reporting Revisions Letter […]

Priority Issues Bulletin

Sorry, but only ACWA members have permission to view this content. Member login is required.

Regulatory Roundup

The following document is released each month and includes policy updates from ACWA’s Regulatory Department. Click on the below link […]

Joint Comment Letter: Request for Information – Development of a 2025 National Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Strategic Plan

To: Faisal D’Souza, Technical Coordinator, Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) Subject: Request for Information: Development of a […]

Joint Comment Letter: RFI Response and Proposal for National AI Resource Exchange (NAIREX) with Industry Partnership Framework

To: Faisal D’Souza, Technical Coordinator, Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) National Coordination Office (NCO) Subject: RFI Response […]

Federal Legislative Matrix

Sorry, but only ACWA members have permission to view this content. Member login is required.

ACWA 2025 Spring Conference Presentations

Presentations from ACWA’s 2025 Spring Conference & Expo held May 13-15 in Monterey are available below. Please note that this […]

Comment Letter: U.S. EPA WaterSense Program

To: Kersey Manliclic, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Subject:U.S. Environmental Protection Agency WaterSense Program—Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2025-012 Letter: The Association of […]

Paving Standards Best Practices

The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) recognizes that all local governments would benefit from greater coordination on planned paving […]

Headwaters Videos Toolkit

ACWA has developed a suite of videos to help member agencies educate the public and lawmakers about the critical need […]

Comment Letter: Proposed Onsite Treatment and Reuse of Nonpotable Water Regulation

To: Courtney Tyler, Clerk to the Board, State Water Resources Control Board Subject: Comments — Proposed Onsite Treatment and Reuse of […]

Suggested News

15 Articles prev next
ACWA-Supported WIPPES Act Advances in Congress with Bipartisan Support

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. House of Representatives during the last week of June passed the Wastewater Pollution Prevention and […]

June 27, 2025 ACWA News Available

Sorry, but only ACWA members have permission to view this content. Member login is required.

Ag + Urban: A Shared Commitment to Water Stewardship

ACWA quietly turned 115 years old on May 28, providing an opportunity to both look back and think ahead. And […]

Spotlight June 2025: When Fire and Water Do Mix

Water Agencies Partner with Fire Departments to Maximize Wildfire Preparedness In fire-prone California, collaboration between water agencies and fire departments […]

ACWA Accepting Applications for 2025 Fall Awards

ACWA will announce the following award recipients at its 2025 Fall Conference & Expo in San Diego, being held Dec. […]

United Water Conservation District Lawsuit Defends Water Rights

A recent ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in United Water Conservation District v. United […]

DWR Semi-Annual Groundwater Conditions Update Highlights Key Trends

SACRAMENTO – California is now collecting more groundwater data than ever before as highlighted in the Semi-Annual Groundwater Conditions Update […]

Groundbreaking Marks Major Investment in Placer County’s Water Future

COLFAX — Placer County Water Agency (PCWA), joined by state and local leaders, today celebrated the groundbreaking of the new […]

Sites Project Authority Releases 2024 Annual Report

2024 marked the start of a new chapter for the Sites Reservoir Project with several major milestones that moved the […]

District Celebrates Community and Conservation at First-Ever Festival

ROWLAND HEIGHTS — Rowland Water District (RWD) hosted its inaugural Discover Rowland Fest on May 10 at the District’s headquarters, […]

Financial Stewardship Meets Sustainability in Agency Budget

BEAUMONT, CA (June 19, 2025) – On June 2, 2025, San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency (SGPWA)’s Board of Directors underscored […]

Helix Water District Announces 2025 WaterSmart Landscape Contest Winners

Helix Water District is proud to announce the 2025 WaterSmart Landscape Contest winners, Sinead and Lance G., whose transformation of […]

CVWD Completes Critical Pipeline Project in Eastern Coachella Valley

CVWD celebrates the completion of the Avenue 66 Transmission Main Project, also known as the Saint Anthony Mobile Home Park […]

Annual Report Shows PWD’s Water Quality Met All Drinking Water Standards

PALMDALE – Palmdale Water District (PWD) customers wanting detailed information about their water quality can now access the newest Consumer […]

Regulation on State, Local Fleets Still in Effect

President Donald Trump signed three measures on June 12 to block California’s Clean Air Act Waivers to administer California Air […]